Cracking the Code

It might seem as though Kratom comes in a bewildering array of strains but the fact is, there are only a handful of actual strains available, and once you have familiarized yourself with those varieties and their respective properties, you will know all you need to know about which one is right for you, and when.

There are many companies whose marketing strategies will include adding fancy, ‘edgy’ names and/or using dramatic packaging to increase the appeal of their products, but as long as you buy from a reputable vendor, you will be able to get exactly what you need by knowing two things – the color of the vein, and the region in which it was grown.

Don’t Be Color Blind

With Kratom, there are basically three colors – white, green, and red – and these refer to the color of the veins on the leaves when they are harvested. White denotes the youngest, and red veins are found on the most mature leaves, while green fall somewhere in between. Each color of Kratom holds a different property, so learning about these classifications is your first port of call when it comes to knowing which strain does what.

Where in the World?

The second factor in knowing your stuff is learning about where a particular strain comes from; this could be, for example, Bali, Malaysia, or Borneo. Each area has its own unique properties, so once you have gotten used to which color does what, it’s time to learn about what specific properties each location offers.

So for instance, you might have a Red Borneo, or a Green Malay.

Do Your Homework

Read up as much as you can on the strains – one might be an energizing burn while another might have a relaxing aroma – and knowing what you want from Kratom will help you to determine which one to try.

An Overview

The single most important thing you can do for yourself is to try different strains until you find one which you are happy with, but of course, with variations available in each category, that can be a bit of a quagmire. In order to get you started, however, here is a VERY general rundown of which strains offer which benefits:

Red Vein – the best-selling vein, the red is a great choice for beginners as it can have a calming effect when burned, leading to feelings of well-being and optimism. Perfect for insomniacs, the overall effect of this strain is one of tranquillity and peace.

Green Vein – More energetic than the red, green Kratom is a subtle variety which can increase confidence and focus in those who burn it.

White Vein – rather like the coffee plant to which it is related, white vein Kratom’s aroma has a wonderful pick me up smell which can help to enhance mood and increase stamina, particularly useful for long working days!

Time to Delve Deeper

Once you know what general effect you want from your Kratom, it is time to look into which region you want your powder to come from. Different regions have different growing conditions, and it is these conditions which will determine the balance of alkaloids within the leaf.

There are numerous articles available, both online in general, and specifically within our site, which explain more about particular strains, so once you have decided which of the colors sounds most like what you’re looking for, research, research, and research some more.

However, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, as they say, so the best way to know which one is right for you is to try various strains within the color you have selected, because each one will be a variation with its own subtle nuances.

A Word About Maeng Da

We’ve already mentioned that the name of each strain will consist of the region it was grown in, and the color of the vein on the leaf. However, there is an exception to this rule, and that is Maeng Da. Literally translated, Maeng Da means ‘Pimp Grade’, a name that was originally given as a marketing ploy which has stuck, and denotes a strain which has been created by grafting two different strains together to produce one leaf which combines the properties of both.  More potent than the single strains, you can still differentiate between them because although they don’t include the region in their name, they do include the color, so red Maeng Da, white Maeng Da etc.

The most important thing you can do is research. Read as much as you can about Kratom and the properties of the different strains, and then make your choice based on your findings. You’re never tied to just one strain, so if for example you find one you like but wish it had a slighter stronger aroma, you’ll be armed with the knowledge of which one to upgrade to. Like most things in life, finding your Kratom sweet spot will be a matter of trial and error, but with the right knowledge at least you know it will be a truly enjoyable journey.